Will NSA & CyberCom Split?

Talk of separating the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command continues to pop up, as officials discuss the best path forward for agencies with different but related missions.

The Obama administration's top defense and intelligence officials are proposing a plan to separate the spying and war fighting arms of America's vast hacking apparatus, an idea that was recommended, but rejected after the Edward Snowden revelations of 2013.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper both support a proposal to separate NSA from CYBERCOM, but both declined to comment for the record.

The agencies currently share the same leader, Adm. Mike Rogers, and headquarters space at Fort Meade, Maryland. But their missions differ: NSA focuses on intelligence while CYBERCOM conducts military cyberspace operations.

“While USCYBERCOM resides with NSA, the two organizations are distinct entities with separate missions, authorities and resource streams,” said Rogers in written testimony for an April 5 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. “Neither is an arm of the other, and both perform vital tasks on behalf of our nation.”

Adm. Mike Rogers wears two hats.

Rogers at the hearing said he supported elevating CYBERCOM to a unified combatant command, which “would allow us to be faster, which would generate better mission outcomes.” He, however, warned against taking control of CYBERCOM away from the NSA chief at this time, in part because of the command’s reliance on NSA systems.

Senior military leaders have served as NSA director since the agency’s founding in 1952. According to NBC News, future directors would be four-star generals or the equivalent, a higher rank than currently leads the agency. An earlier Reuters report said future directors could be civilians to show NSA doesn’t report to CYBERCOM.

“Following a thorough interagency review, the administration has decided that keeping the positions of NSA director and Cyber Command commander together as one, dual-hatted position is the most effective approach to accomplishing both agencies’ missions,” White House’s National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.


DefenseOne:       ABC

 

« Delete Google Maps But They'll Still Track You
Uber Starts Self Driving Taxis »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Our Supplier Directory lists 6,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC - the first, easy-to-use, enterprise-grade information security solution for compliance and risk management - offers businesses efficient control tracking, testing, and enforcement.

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

Resecurity

Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Wizard Computing

Wizard Computing

Wizard Computer Services is a full service IT solutions provider that offers managed services, consultation, installation, and support to small and large businesses in New England.

Vertical Structure

Vertical Structure

Vertical Structure services include Security & Penetration Testing, Information Assurance, Bespoke Training Programs and Secure Hosting.

Hague Security Delta (HSD)

Hague Security Delta (HSD)

The Hague Security Delta Campus is home of the leading cyber security cluster in Europe with an Innovation Centre, labs and training facilities.

Cyacomb

Cyacomb

Cyacomb (formerly Cyan Forensics) provides digital forensics software to help police forces find evidence on computers many times faster than before.

SKKU Security Lab (seclab)

SKKU Security Lab (seclab)

SKKU Security Lab supports research and education in information security engineering. The lab is a part of the College of Software, Sungkyunkwan University.

Knovos

Knovos

Knovos is a leading technology innovator developing solutions for automating, integrating, and innovating Information Governance.

HSB

HSB

HSB offers insurance for equipment breakdown, cyber risk, data breach, identity recovery & employment practices liability.

Internetwork Defense (IND)

Internetwork Defense (IND)

Internetwork Defense is a premier provider of Information Security Training and Business Consulting Services in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Motiv ICT Security

Motiv ICT Security

Motiv is the ICT security specialist that provides public and private sector organisations with IT security solutions and services to prevent cybercrime, data theft and data breaches.

Elisity

Elisity

Elisity Cognitive Trust is a new security paradigm that combines Zero Trust Network Access and an AI-enabled Software Defined Perimeter.

Nonprofit Cyber

Nonprofit Cyber

Nonprofit Cyber is a first-of-its-kind coalition of global nonprofit organizations to enhance joint action to improve cybersecurity.

PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC)

PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC)

The PCI Security Standards Council is a global forum that brings together payments industry stakeholders to develop and drive adoption of data security standards and resources for safe payments.

Eden Data

Eden Data

Eden Data is on a mission to break the outdated mold of traditional cybersecurity consulting. We handle all of your security, compliance & data privacy needs.

KnoTra Global

KnoTra Global

KnoTra Global is a next-generation Managed Service provider with a portfolio of services including Cybersecurity Solutions, Network Management, IT Leadership, and Day-to-Day Helpdesk and IT services.

ITRM

ITRM

ITRM are one of the UK’s top managed service providers and offer a range of award-winning IT solutions, from ad-hoc consultancy to cyber security.

Cypheria

Cypheria

Cypheria harness the expertise of elite military units and combine it with extensive digital combat experience to deliver unparalleled security solutions for organizations.